Long-Term Inpatient Rehab

Along with the fact that nearly all rehab options we see today have adopted the 12-step method as part of their treatment, it is interesting to note that they have also adopted a '28-day' protocol when it comes to the length of their recovery process. This may vary from center to center, but for the most part, treatment today is usually 30 days or less. This is not because of research that has demonstrated that this is ‘the right amount of time’ for a patient to recover; it has to do with economics. When we go back in time, we can see that the '28-day' protocol began when insurance companies dictated how long a period they would pay for treatment. The problem is that within this relatively short period of time, it is generally not long enough to resolve a serious alcohol or drug addiction. The dependency did not begin within 28-days and it would be foolish to assume that it could be dealt with in such a short time-frame. That is why many people are turning to longer options when it comes to living a sober lifestyle.

Less temptations - This should be relatively straightforward. When the patient resides in a safe environment and is unable to use illicit substances, it allows for greater overall clarity and stability. A person can't use drugs if they don't have access to them. These inpatient treatment centers are not prisons; a patient may leave anytime they want. However, while they are at the facility they will not have immediate access to illicit substances. This will remove the immediate temptation during a moment of weakness.

No distractions - When a person enrolls in a long-term inpatient treatment, there are no distractions from the outside world that could cause them to focus on something other than recovery. There are no bills to worry about, there is no fighting with significant others or family members, there are no deadlines from work to worry about; the focus is where it needs to be.

Physical benefits - Do not forget that alcohol and drugs contain a great number of harmful toxins. The continued use of these substances can cause chronic conditions and damage multiple body systems, sometimes to the point where it can be fatal. During this time in the facility, the body has a chance to recover. It gives the patient a chance to flush the toxins out of their system and allows the body to heal. This may be the first time in a long time that the patient is actually on the road to becoming 'healthy' again.

The Time to Work on the Problems

Even though we can list it alongside the other benefits, this particular aspect deserves a bit more recognition because of its importance to the overall treatment. The detoxification process can take anywhere between a few weeks to months. Before the detoxification process is completed, the patient can't make much progress. It is not until after the individual is sober that counselors can begin to get to the underlying cause of addiction; what is the basic reason that this patient started using illicit substances in the first place?

In many of the shorter programs, it means the patient arrives at the facility, the first week or two are spent resting and feeling well enough to talk to a counselor. Then after that, after the patient is about to start to get to the real problem, the underlying causes, the individual is already out the door again. The longer programs allow the patient to get to the problem and deal with unresolved issues before leaving.

Once these unresolved issues are brought to the surface, the patient can learn to live a life without addiction. They can start to identify specific triggers that cause problems and learn ways to deal with those triggers without having to rely on drugs or alcohol. If an individual has this information, they will walk out of the facility better adjusted and more capable of dealing with outside stressors.

Ongoing Care

It is important to note that programs can adapt to meet the needs of the person enrolled. As the program progresses, it is possible to see it adapt to their needs. Some patients first enroll in long-term inpatient treatment and gradually move to another style because they would like to see how they deal with being ‘on their own’. These so-called ‘aftercare services’, regardless of what they are, are of vital importance to treatment. They are crucial to the long-term sobriety of the individual.

Countless studies show that people who receive care, any type of care for that matter, do better than people that receive no care at all. However, it also shows that individuals receiving aftercare services after long-term inpatient treatment have the best chance of success. This is another important reason why there needs to be a long-term treatment plan for the person; because if an individual is serious about recovery, they should want the absolute best possible chance of making a lasting change.

Help with Finding the Right Option

The problem is that finding a non-faith based, long-term inpatient drug rehab facility can be difficult. This may be because many alcohol and drug rehabilitation centers only offer 30-day treatment options and when they do provide 'extended care' programs (usually 60-90 days), these choices cost so much money that even a second mortgage would not cover with the bill.

It is common for many Christian or faith-based rehabs in the US to be classified as long term drug rehab. This is because they are often 3-6 month programs (some 12 months or longer). These patients know they need and want long-term inpatient rehab, but the religious elements, including bible study and other factors, eliminate these faith-based rehabs as viable options. However, for those seeking non-faith based rehabs finding them can be a daunting task. If you are unsure where to turn and want answers right now, our counselors are available to help you.